Mint condition toy aeroplane sells for £10,000

Share via

The plane’s unworn paintwork shows it was never played with, leading to speculation about whether its owner survived the BlitzSWNS

Published at 12:01AM, November 8 2012

A toy aeroplane whose mint condition may have a sad explanation has sold for
£10,000. It was found in an attic in Bristol, wrapped in a 1941 newspaper
reporting that two days earlier the city had suffered a heavy air raid.

The toy, still in its box, had been bought at Gyles Brothers, Bristol, for 9s
6d. It was made by W. Britain, a British toy maker famous for its lead
soldiers, but has an unusual paint scheme.

Simon Clarke, of the auctioneers, Vectis, in Thornaby, North Yorkshire, said:
“Although they produced thousands of aircraft, W. Britain only produced a